Certainly one of the most dramatic transformations this year, Ford’s Fusion went from rental car fleet darling to a genuine class leader by offering an impressive level of engineering and refinement at a decent price. For 2010, Lincoln, not wanting to miss out, gets a refreshed version of its Fusion variant, the MKZ.
Our enthusiasm for earlier MKZs was about as tepid as it was for the first-generation Fusion. Though neither the Fusion nor the MKZ (or Zephyr as it was called for its first year of production) was a bad car, they always seemed a little too cheapened – some would say too “Ford of old” – for the class.
We decided to find out if the improvements made to the MKZ for 2010 were enough to take it from class contender to must-see.
What is it?
Perhaps more than any other automaker, Lincoln has struggled with its identity. Despite some early sales success with the first-generation Navigator, most of the brand’s offerings have floundered in the marketplace, including the MKZ’s predecessor, the much-hyped rear-drive LS sports sedan.
While the LS was a heck of an effort, its tepid styling, both inside and out, didn’t catch on with buyers the way Cadillac’s CTS did. Ford replaced the LS for 2006 with the Zephyr, a resurrected badge first used before World War II on a lower-cost, aerodynamic model. Based heavily on the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, themselves based on the enthusiast-friendly Mazda Mazda6, the Zephyr badge lasted only a year before being renamed MKZ in honor of a new 3.5-liter engine and line-wide naming scheme switch-over.
For 2010, Lincoln kept the MKZ name but responded to critics by revamping the interior and exterior – not to mention adopting the Fusion’s revised suspension.
We were more partial to the historic Zephyr nameplate, which stands out amid the alphabet soup that is the luxury car market.
What’s it up against?
A bit less sport-oriented than the Germans, despite the presence of an optional Sport Appearance package on our tester, the MKZ does battle with the likes of the Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES 350 and Volvo S80.
Any breakthroughs?
For its 2010 update, the MKZ gained a number of unique features already introduced on other members of the Ford product family. Namely, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert (thanks Volvo!), Sync (thanks Microsoft!) and a built-in weather radar map with Travel Link (thanks Sirius!).
More upscale materials show up throughout, including Bridge of Weir leather upholstery, thicker glass and extra sound deadening.
How does it look?
In an effort to introduce a new design language for Lincoln with the introduction of the MKS, Ford’s designers have created a new, beak-like face. Viewed from head-on or even at a slight angle, we’re impressed with the execution on the MKZ – especially when compared to its new, bizarre MKT cousin. Nice chrome details in the enlarged upper and lower grilles, along with a Saab-esque chrome headlamp surround do a nice job of updating the pleasant-enough look of the outgoing model.
Out back, it’s more an obvious evolution of before than an outright redesign. The tail lamps are larger and, again, the detailing a little more refined.
Viewed from the side, the MKZ’s relationship to its downmarket Mercury and Ford siblings becomes painfully obvious. If the doors aren’t direct swaps, they’re darn close. We wish Ford would have done a little more to differentiate the side profile, like Toyota has done to separate the related Toyota Camry and Lexus ES 350.
And on the inside?
The old MKZ’s tall dashboard, hard plastic and vaguely retro-style bits are gone, replaced instead by a more traditional arrangement that borrows the majority of its switchgear from the Ford parts bin. That means you’ll find lots of small buttons for the radio and climate controls, hard-to-reach steering wheel switches and a big, clunky key.
But it mostly improves from there. Materials, with the exception of some cheap plastic on the center console and the lack of leather wrapping for the handbrake lever, are at least equivalent to the Lexus ES 350, if not better in some cases. Unlike the Fusion, the MKZ’s door panels are covered in a nice, soft plastic and vinyl and the pillars are wrapped in the same Audi-esque material as the headliner. A high-zoot THX II sound system was fitted to our tester, as was Ford’s advanced and simple navigation system with Sirius Travel Link.
The firm, well-padded, chair-like seats deserve special discussion because they’re wrapped in beautiful Bridge of Weir leather. The same dead cows (or at least their grand grand calfs) that gave their lives for countless Saabs, Aston Martins and Mercedes-Benzes. Lush and upscale, the seats are heated and cooled up front.
But does it go?
Packing the same 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter Duratec V6 as the top-end Fusion Sport, the MKZ possesses similar refinement and thrust. Well-matched to the stiff chassis, the V6 did not argue with the steering like so many other high-power, front-wheel-drive sedans are wont to do. All-wheel-drive is optional, but wasn’t fitted to our press fleet vehicle.
The 249 lb-ft. of torque peaks at a fairly reasonable 4,500 rpm, meaning the MKZ is happy enough to perform at appropriately-Lincoln low-rpm cruising. Its six-speed automatic transmission features a separate gate for manual-style shifting, but seems perfectly content in drive, where it generally seemed to find the right gear at any time. A refined, low snarl accompanied throttle pedal action.
We averaged close to the EPA figures of 27 mpg highway and 18 mpg city.
Though not as powerful as the related 3.7-liter V6 that powers the MKS, or even the upcoming EcoBoost – which is not set to power the MKZ – the 3.5 still provides ample go that will outrun everything in its class other than the direct-injected Cadillac CTS.
Receiving the same minor suspension modifications seen on the Fusion, namely a revised rear lower control arms and more advanced bushings, the MKZ’s firm ride was similarly refined. Extraordinarily well-damped, the MKZ generally absorbed bumps as well as much, much more expensive vehicles. Only over the roughest of terrain did it seem marginally confused, sending occasionally mixed signals through to the cabin. Overall, though, Ford is to be commended for the impressively solid structure.
Hydraulic rack and pinion steering makes an appearance, instead of the electronic setup we’re starting to see in more and more vehicles. The effort rate, higher than we expected, bordered on European-level, though overall feel can’t quite match the CTS. It also seemed a little too prone to push back to center position in corners.
The 18-inch wheels on the Sport Appearance package our tester do give the MKZ a firm ride some traditional Lincoln buyers might not expect, but they pay off in the twisties. Grip was high and the roughly 3,600 lb. MKZ felt much more tossable than most of its rivals. Not a corner carver like, say, a BMW 3-Series, the MKZ nevertheless impressed us with its handling prowess.
Why you would buy it:
The Cadillac CTS’ wedgy style doesn’t work for you, but you’re not looking for something quite as plush and, uh, bland, as a Lexus.
Why you wouldn’t:
The Ford Fusion Sport offers almost everything the Lincoln does, aside from that nice leather, for a lot less moolah.
Leftlane’s bottom line
The Ford Fusion isn’t a bad place to start for a badge-engineered Lincoln, but we wish the Dearborn automaker would do a little more than just restyle the fascias and interior to set the MKZ apart from its mainstream siblings. For about $10,000 over a loaded Fusion Sport, the MKZ gives you a much nicer interior and a handful of extra luxury items. Feature-wise, it’s a decent value over the Fusion, but compared to the class-leading CTS and even the TL, the MKZ feels just a bit too much like a gussied up Ford to be quite as compelling as we hoped it would be.
If nothing else, that speaks volumes about the Fusion. Dynamically a class above most of its rivals, if the Fusion had half of the MKZ’s interior, Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota would never sell another Malibu, Accord or Camry.
2010 Lincoln MKZ base price, $34,115. As tested, $41,850.
Spec 103A (Ultimate package, moonroof, THX audio, Technology Package, Navigation), $5,595; White Platinum metallic, $495; Sport Appearance package, $795; Destination, $850.
Words and photos by Andrew Ganz.
06/11, 5:24 PM
posted by:
A4
I gotta say I like the old grille (and the Zephyr name) better.
06/11, 5:42 PM
posted by:
Dwide Schrude
I’m actually quite taken with this one. She’s got a pretty mouth and a nice ass-end. Works for me.
06/11, 6:17 PM
posted by:
Yomama Sophat
@A4:
Ditto here.
06/11, 6:24 PM
posted by:
aggie531
i think the grille is just hideous
06/11, 6:41 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
I would hope that a full redesign of the MKZ will yield a car vastly different from the Fusion and Milan. Speaking of, what is going to really happen with MERCURY?
06/11, 6:48 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
This automobile is doing well in retirement communities that I have seen, and that’s a compliment. The bloody thing is selling! Not a bad automobile nor price point.
06/11, 7:06 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
I like the front..but the ass end looks like a bus, sure they put big enough lights on it…they almost touch each other end on end…
Their is no way this is better than the Pontiac G8…..no way……
go figure…
06/11, 7:14 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
The grille is cool and striking, however its not very sympathetic to the rest of the car. It does seem a little ‘oh we designed a car!….oh its a lincoln?…we’d better put on the corporate face grille’
06/11, 7:30 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
What the hell is Bridge Of Weird leather?
Is that what you get when you wipe the stains off Tunnel Of Love leather?
06/11, 7:43 PM
posted by:
Robert
Given that the last Fusion was below 20% fleet for its life and below 15% for the last 18 months of its life, I’d hardly call it a rental queen. If you were to apply such a title, what would that make the Toyota Corolla (18%), Chevy Malibu (28%), Chrysler’s infamous Sebring (43%) or the Impala (54%)?
And yes, Ford, you need to make your luxury brand different in substantial ways – not just a grille, a name and some fancy leather. Although, I could make the same complaint of Toyota and their hack job with the ES.
06/11, 7:55 PM
posted by:
impulsive facts
i’m with you, A4 – the old grille / front end was much nicer (this one is too mks – no distinction)
as for the interior, while the new may be less eccentric, it’s also not a hell of a lot different from the fusion/milan
this would be a nice used car (let somebody else soak up the depreciation)
06/11, 8:07 PM
posted by:
Dr. Lincoln
Compare the MKZ to the Fusion Sport the differance is amazing, especially when it comes to insulation. The difference in road noise is significant. Yes, Ford could do more to seperate their luxury nameplate from Ford. The real proof is in the MKS which is much more fun to drive, has more advanced electronics and just makes the Lincoln badge shine. Stepping up to a Lincoln gives the consumer a lot more than a badge. Extra warranty coverage and much better treatment at Lincoln dealers where you don’t have to step around Focus and F-150 owners to get your car serviced. The Lincoln badge is really making some progress, just wait for Eco Boost. That will be a real kick in the pants.
06/11, 8:28 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Just like with Acura, Lincoln creates a hideous face and throws it on every car and truck and thinks they have created style. Totally laughable style yes, especially on that new crossover thingy.
The older front end like what was on the Navigator before it got chromed to death a few years ago was classically handsome and continues to look good today.
06/11, 9:20 PM
posted by:
Borat
LLL3, I cant agree more. Every time I see someone driving one (frankly I saw maybe 3) they looked like former pissed off Buick clients. I know I am mean, I am getting in age there myslef, but heck gates of heaven are closed for me. I listen to Johnny and drunk to much.
06/11, 10:55 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Didn’t Oldsmobile front ends look like this at some point or am I in the same shape as Borat?
You know I’m too old to give a sh*t anymore so here it goes: of all the cars built in North America for North Americans this is the ugliest one there is. Sorry, but it is simply hideous.
06/12, 1:08 AM
posted by:
F50
johnnycanuck: They had a similar looking design, in 60’s or 70’s I think.
I hate that grille, makes the car look fat, taillights are way too high and remind me of the old Integra(I like that car btw).
06/12, 2:04 AM
posted by:
Luftzon
Just compare the looks of this to a 3 series or a new A4. Now laugh or at least smile. If you cant, you are too old. I cant imagine someone under 50 buying this car.
06/12, 5:39 AM
posted by:
CanadaCraig
IF I was working for Lincoln – I’d be thrilled to hear that some people LOVE the updated look of the MKZ and that some people HATE it. That’s exactly what Lincoln needs. In fact – it’s the love/hate thing that makes for an interesting car. And it stirs up emotions. You hope for more LOVE than HATE – of course – but either way – at least people are talking about your car. It’s not being ignored by all. Which is the death of any car. That same love/hate thing was there for the Chrysler 300C – when it first came out. More people loved it than hated it – which is why is was such a HUGE success for Chrysler. On the other hand – I don’t remember ANYONE saying that they loved the Aztec. lol ME? I really like [Can't quite say love] the new Lincoln look. I think both the MKZ and the MKS are very nice looking cars. That said – I would prefer they were called the Zephyr and Continental. [Or dare I say it? Versailles?!] Silly Lincoln though – insists that they’re NOT called ‘Mark Z’ or ‘Mark S’, etc. Even THAT would be better than ‘MKZ and MKS. Craig!!
)
06/12, 9:05 AM
posted by:
muttonchops
Notice the competition mentioned in the main post. ALL of them had goofy alphanumeric names. It comes from trying to sell people on a brand instead of it’s individual models. But I will agree that the Lincoln “MK” scheme is the worst and most confusing of the lot.
And people seem to forget so quickly that Ford has come out and said that no future Lincolns will be badge engineered. Share same platforms yes, but Lincolns from here on out get totallly unique sheetmetal. This one is just a refresh so there wasn’t much they could do, but when the all-new Fusion and MKZ debut there will be no question that they are completely different cars. At least the interiors on these are completely different, which you can’t say about past badge engineered products.
06/12, 9:30 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Why do people hyper-obsess about the alphanumeric naming conventions? I can understand how they confuse, but according to Lambchops the MK scheme is the “worst.” Why the worst?
I personally like the Continental name but I always thought the MK thing was derived from it. Didn’t Lincoln used to have a Continental Mark 7 or Mark 8 or something? And it was a big seller also, I think. MK is a spinoff of Mark, that’s all.
Now, while real words like Continental are nice, you end up with crappy made-up words like Camry or Corolla or Tercel or Atenza, or fruity sounding crap like Honda City or VW Up, and let’s face it – nothing is more sleep-inducing than the names Buick Lucerne or Chevy Lumina, or that old classic the Chevy Citation.
Let’s face it – all naming conventions, be they language or numbers based, produce their share of lame BS.
06/12, 9:49 AM
posted by:
Borat
MRN, granted I have a slight hangover, but it was nice and easy to say “this Lumina is such a piece of sh!t”, it is much more tiring to remember that it is SX7 is piece of sh!t, but SX4 is OK. MK in Continental was a tribute to British designation of “mark” of release/evolution version. Like Enfield Mk.2 was the second version of Enfield rifle, the theme was carried into auto world (I believe between Big wars). And to contradict myslef I do recall Continental Mk V was being great and Mk VII piece of sh!t.
06/12, 9:58 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Ok Borat, but speaking alphanumerically if I were to say “LLN is a POS” would you really say WTF?
06/12, 11:36 AM
posted by:
wrathofkwon
What is with American car design??? Why does the oversized grille have to look like a potato wedge slicer? The taillights are also far too large for the car. They occupy far too much of the rear of the car. This is just another example of poor design and overwrought elements… American excess gone wrong.
06/12, 12:24 PM
posted by:
Pauly
This article is so biased from the beginning. The Fusion was no rental car. It was as good as any of the Japanese midsize cars.
06/12, 1:17 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
They finally made the interior more youthful. Not bad looking. Exterior is generally nice, but that grille/snout????? At least it’s not as ugly a nose as all new Acuras (former Acura owner here)
06/12, 1:53 PM
posted by:
key4wheels
the new Fusion looks much better than this…
06/12, 5:13 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Stupid plastic handbrake – I was straight up offended by it in the MKZ I had rented last year. Really? You can’t spend the freakin’ 5 dollars to have it wrapped in leather? Simply stunning what a small, but non insignifigant miss that is. For it’s looks, eh, I liked the old MKZ rear little better, but I saw one on the road and the front really wasn’t bad.
06/13, 4:27 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Faux-Luxury rebadges are an international thing.
But this, like the “TL” and unlike the “ES” is based on a pretty good commuter coffin
06/13, 5:16 PM
posted by:
Jax
HAHA!! Plastic-covered brake handle and a hood prop instead of struts.
They don’t get it!
Embarrassing!!
06/14, 10:42 PM
posted by:
calamar
Lincoln’s lost it. It is by no means what it was before
06/15, 10:58 AM
posted by:
cor1977
Still looks cheap inside and the rear bumper with its ‘underbite’….. one day Lincoln, one day.
06/17, 1:43 PM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
Actually I like it. It looks MUCH better than the model it replaced
06/20, 4:17 PM
posted by:
SoCalFiveO
these cars are very slick i like em alot